Showcase lock



g- 29, 1939- E. J. GAPINSKI' 4 2,171,123

SHOWCASE LOCK Filed Feb. 8, 1939 7 v a E-Jwimki v IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 29, 1939 UNITED STATESb )FFICE 2 Claims.

This invention aims to provide a simple mechanism whereby slidable panels, such as those used in show cases, may be held together, against opening movement.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein .disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows in elevation, a device constructed in accordance with the invention, assembled with the slidable panels of a show case;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view wherein the device forming the subject matter of this application is shown in top plan;

Fig. 3 is a section taken through the lock;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the lock, parts being broken away;

Fig. 5 is a plan of the look as it appears before being adapted to use.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a lock case I, wherein a barrel 2 is mounted to turn, the barrel being rotated by a key 3, the tumbler mechanism 4 being of common form. On one end of the barrel 2 there is an outstanding flange 5. On the opposite end of the barrel 2, a disk-like head 6 is held by securing elements '3. The head 6 and the flange 5, cooperating with the lock body I, hold the barrel 2 against endwise movement in the lock body. The head 5 has a hub 8 to which a rigid, laterally projecting latch strip 9 is attached by a securing element In.

The lock case I is supplied with a rearwardly projecting offset H, in which an arm I2 is secured at one end, the arm and the latch strip 9 being located in the same plane. The arm 12 terminates in a rectangularly disposed finger It.

The numeral l5 marks a show case frame, wherein panels l6 and II, generally made of glass, are slidably mounted.

In practical operation, by means of the key 3,

the barrel 2 is rotated until the latch strip 9 is disposed at right angles to the arm l2. The device is rotated about an axis represented by the arm l2, until the finger M is parallel to the panels i8 and ii. The arm i2 is inserted between the 5 panels l'i-l6, and the entire device is rotated to the position of Fig. 2, about an axis represented by the arm 12, the finger i4 engaging the edge of the panel it. Then, by means of the key 3 the barrel 2 is rotated, the latch strip 8 swinging down between the panels l6 and II, as in Fig. 2, and it being impossible, then, to rotate the device about an axis represented by the arm l2 and disengage the finger M from the edge of the panel [6. 15

It is to be observed that the locking mecha: nism is used only to swing the latch strip 9. The arm I2 is rigid and is secured in the offset ll of the casing l, and no locking mechanism is provided for rotating the arm l2 to engage the finger Ill with the edge of the panel I6.

Referring to Fig. 5, the arm i2 is straight, as shown at I8, as it comes from the manufacturer. The user inserts the straight arm 58 between the panels 56 and ii, bends the straight arm Hi to form the finger It, as may be required in a particular show case, and then cuts off the finger M to the desired length.

What is claimed is:

1. An article of manufacture for use in the making of a show case lock, and. comprising a lock body, a rotatable member carried by the body, a latch secured to the rotatable member and disposed substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of said member, and a straight, rigid arm fixedly secured to the body and disposed substantially in a common plane with the latch, the arm being bendable at the will of an operator, to form a finger disposed at an angle to the arm, and to determine the length of the arm.

2. A show case lock comprising a lock body, a rotatable member carried by the body, a latch secured to the rotatable member and disposed substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of said member, and an arm fixedly secured to the body and disposed substantially in a common plane with the latch, the arm being provided with an angularly disposed finger.

EDMUND J. GAPINSKI. 50 

